This is a verse by verse study of John 15:1-8, with an overall view of verses 1-17. There is one great motivation for a farmer with his crop - he wants a harvest. He needs the fruit. It is also true of our Lord. He wants His followers to bear fruit, much fruit, to the glory of God the Father, thus showing ourselves His disciples. There are four persons in the story here - Jesus the true vine, Father God the farmer, every branch that bears no fruit (that's cast into the fire), and every branch that bears fruit that gets pruned. Father prunes us with His Word and uses trials, harsh people, difficult circumstances to bring forth fruit in our lives. The fruit includes joy, answered prayer, obedience, and agape love.